The PATH to Care Center provides affirming, empowering, and confidential support for those who have experienced gendered violence, including: sexual harassment, dating and intimate partner violence, sexual assault, stalking, and sexual exploitation. Advocates bring a non-judgmental, caring approach to exploring all options, rights, and resources. You can reach the PATH to Care Center at (510) 642-1988.

Report

After experiencing violence, the most important things are getting to a safe place and taking care of yourself. Realize that what happened to you is not your fault and that you are in control of what happens next.

Telling someone is a brave act, but there are many reasons why you might not feel comfortable sharing with other people. At the same time, there are many benefits to telling someone what happened, and there are several options that you may pursue according to the kind of support that you want. Note: if you decide to tell someone, you may want to ask about their responsibilities related to reporting and confidentiality as early in the conversation as possible.

"Harassment is defined as conduct that is so severe and/or pervasive, and objectively offensive, and that so substantially impairs a person's access to University programs or activities, that the person is effectively denied equal access to the University's resources and opportunities on the basis of the person’s race, color, national or ethnic origin, alienage, sex, religion, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, veteran status, physical or mental disability, or perceived membership in any of these classifications."

Depending on their roles at UC Berkeley, staff and faculty have varying reporting responsibilities and abilities to maintain confidentiality. In order to make informed choices, one should be aware of confidentiality and mandatory reporting requirements when consulting campus resources.

Anonymous Reporting

Anonymous reporting happens when you do not disclose your name or the identities of the other parties involved, nor request any action. Depending on what information is shared, action by the university may be limited. The Office for the Prevention of Harassment and Discrimination (OPHD) will determine appropriate next steps as required by relevant laws and policies. To learn more, contact OPHD.

To make an anonymous report, you can use CalTIP (Berkeley's text-based anonymous reporting tool to report non-emergency criminal activity) by texting (510) 664-8477 (4-TIPS).

The University shall protect the privacy of individuals involved in a report of sexual harassment or sexual violence to the extent permitted by law and University Policy. A report of sexual harassment or sexual violence may result in the gathering of extremely sensitive information about individuals in the University community. While such information is considered confidential, University policy regarding access to public records and disclosure of personal information may require disclosure of certain information concerning a report of sexual harassment or sexual violence. In such cases, every effort shall be made to redact the records in order to protect the privacy of individuals. An individual who has made a report of sexual harassment or sexual violence may be advised of sanctions imposed against the accused when the individual needs to be aware of the sanction in order for it to be fully effective (such as restrictions on communication or contact with the individual who made the report). In addition, when the offense involves a crime of violence or a non-forcible sex offense, the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act permits disclosure to the complainant the final results of a disciplinary proceeding against the alleged accused, regardless of whether the University concluded that a violation was committed. Information regarding disciplinary action taken against the accused shall not be disclosed without the accused’s consent, unless permitted by law as noted above, or unless it is necessary to ensure compliance with the action or the safety of individuals.

Responsible Employees

Responsible employees are individuals who must report incidents of sexual violence and/or harassment to the Office for the Prevention of Harassment and Discrimination (OPHD). If you confide in a responsible employee they must notify OPHD and may reveal details about you and/or the perpetrator. Many university officials are considered responsible employees including academic advisors, administrators, athletic coaches, GSIs, professors, resident advisors, supervisors/managers, and more. If you are concerned about maintaining confidentiality, please use confidential resources such as:

*Note: Ombuds Offices do not offer legal advice or mental health counseling. They do not have any formal authority to render decisions about issues brought to the office and do not participate in formal hearings or other formal processes.

Confidential Reporting

Depending on their roles at UC Berkeley, staff and faculty have varying reporting responsibilities and abilities to maintain confidentiality. In order to make informed choices, one should be aware of confidentiality and mandatory reporting requirements when consulting campus resources.

Confidential Resources

Confidential resources exist in order to provide a safe space for individuals to discuss their options, learn about resources, and discuss any concerns before deciding to take next steps. According to University policy, individuals who consult with confidential resources are advised that their discussions are not considered reports of sexual harassment or sexual violence and that without additional action by the individual, the discussions will not result in any action by the University to resolve their concerns. With few exceptions (including imminent risk of harm or danger), they cannot share information without your expressed written consent. Additionally, this information is not considered an official report to the university.

Ombuds for Students and Post-Doctoral Appointees (Note: the Ombuds Office does not offer legal advice or mental health counseling, does not have any formal authority to render decisions about issues brought to the office, and does not participate in formal hearings or other formal processes.)

The Staff Ombuds Office provides impartial, informal conflict resolution and problem-solving services for all Staff, Non-Senate Academics, and Faculty who perform management functions. Unless there is an imminent risk of serious harm or danger, the Staff Ombuds Office holds all communications, including the identity of individuals, in strict confidence.

CARE Services for Faculty and Staff

Anonymous Reporting

Anonymous reporting happens when you do not disclose your name or the identities of the other parties involved, nor request any action. Depending on what information is shared, action by the university may be limited. The Office for the Prevention of Harassment and Discrimination (OPHD) will determine appropriate next steps as required by relevant laws and policies. To learn more, contact OPHD.

To make an anonymous report, you can use CalTIP (Berkeley's text-based anonymous reporting tool to report non-emergency criminal activity) by texting (510) 664-8477 (4-TIPS).

Confidentiality in Reporting Crimes

When reporting crimes to the police, individuals who are survivors (victims of crime) have rights, including protecting victim and witness information in police, arrest, and investigative reports. To learn more, ask the reporting officer about this option.

The University shall protect the privacy of individuals involved in a report of sexual harassment or sexual violence to the extent permitted by law and University Policy. A report of sexual harassment or sexual violence may result in the gathering of extremely sensitive information about individuals in the University community. While such information is considered confidential, University policy regarding access to public records and disclosure of personal information may require disclosure of certain information concerning a report of sexual harassment or sexual violence. In such cases, every effort shall be made to redact the records in order to protect the privacy of individuals. An individual who has made a report of sexual harassment or sexual violence may be advised of sanctions imposed against the accused when the individual needs to be aware of the sanction in order for it to be fully effective (such as restrictions on communication or contact with the individual who made the report). In addition, when the offense involves a crime of violence or a non-forcible sex offense, the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act permits disclosure to the complainant the final results of a disciplinary proceeding against the alleged accused, regardless of whether the University concluded that a violation was committed. Information regarding disciplinary action taken against the accused shall not be disclosed without the accused’s consent, unless permitted by law as noted above, or unless it is necessary to ensure compliance with the action or the safety of individuals.

Responsible Employees

Responsible employees are individuals who must report incidents of sexual violence and/or harassment to the Office for the Prevention of Harassment and Discrimination (OPHD). If you confide in a responsible employee they must notify OPHD and may reveal details about you and/or the perpetrator. Many university officials are considered responsible employees including academic advisors, administrators, athletic coaches, GSIs, professors, resident advisors, supervisors/managers, and more. If you are concerned about maintaining confidentiality, please use confidential resources such as:

*Note: Ombuds Offices do not offer legal advice or mental health counseling. They do not have any formal authority to render decisions about issues brought to the office and do not participate in formal hearings or other formal processes.

University Health Services offers students after-hours emergency consultation with a counselor
and crisis resource referrals by calling (855) 817-5667.